Knowing what to expect during an emergency can increase the likelihood that you and your family will experience a smooth recovery.

Smoke

Wildfire smoke can irritate your eyes, nose, throat and lungs and can be especially harmful if you have asthma or another lung disease, or heart disease.

If you cannot leave the smoky area:

• Stay indoors
• Reduce physical activity
• Wear an N95 or N100 mask that has two straps that go around your head and fits closely over your nose and under your chin.

These things won’t protect against the fine particles in smoke:

• One-strap paper dust masks and surgical masks
• Bandanas or towels (wet or dry)
• Tissue held over the mouth
• Respirator masks will not seal effectively on young children and people with beards.

Severe Storm

Severe storms are the most common natural disasters that occur in Skagit County. Here, the effects resulting from a severe storm such as a thunderstorm, tornado, windstorm, ice storm, or snowstorm are likely to be similar in nature.

Before a storm

• Expect downed trees and power lines, the interruption of transportation routes, and damage to homes, businesses, and public facilities.
• Create an all-hazards safety kit and communications plan.
• If schools in your area require you to pick up your children, be aware that transportation may be difficult.

During a storm

• Stay tuned to local radio, television, or CodeRED alerts for information and instructions from local health officials.
• Check-in with family to confirm well-being and seek help if needed. Elders, children, and those with special needs may need more frequent check-ins.
• Drive only if absolutely necessary. If you must drive, tell someone your destination, route, and expected time of arrival.

After a storm

• Check shellfish safety before gathering shellfish for food.

Flood

Floods are the second most common natural disasters that occur in Skagit County. The threat of flooding in Skagit County is greatest in the months of November, December, and January.

Before a Flood

• Create an all-hazards supply kit and communication plan.
• Sign up for Skagit County’s CodeRED emergency notifications.
• Find out if your home is located in a flood-prone area by visiting https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home.
• Get flood insurance if needed.

Three types of flood notification:

Flood Watch –Conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event or flooding to occur. It does not mean flooding WILL occur, but it is possible. Time to restock your kit, review your emergency plan, and sign up for alerts.

Flood Advisory – Flooding is not expected to be bad enough to issue a warning. Flooding may occur, and may cause significant inconvenience. Use caution to avoid threats to life/property. Time to prepare your home for potential flood.

Flood Warning – issued when a hazardous weather event and/or flooding is imminent or already occurring. Rivers may rise quickly. Listen to local radio or CodeRED alerts for more information and possible evacuation instructions.

Stay safe during a flood

• Do not shelter in attics – it is OK to move important items to elevated areas of your home, but not people or pets.
• Disconnect appliances and if instructed, turn off gas and electricity at the source.
• Don’t walk or drive through floodwaters.
• Evacuate if directed or move immediately to higher ground.

Earthquake

Before an Earthquake

• Create an all-hazards safety kit and communications plan.
• Secure breakable and heavy objects (shelves, water heater, etc.).
• Locate safe spots to shelter and practice drills.

During an Earthquake

• If indoors, stay indoors.
• Obtain your all-hazards supply kit and communications plan.
• Drop, cover, hold on!
• Get under a sturdy table or desk and hold on to it.
• Stand or crouch in a strongly supported interior doorway.
• Brace yourself in an inside corner of the building.
• Stay clear of windows, glass, and objects that could fall.
• Go to the ground level if possible.
• If outdoors – move away from buildings and utility wires.
• The greatest danger from falling debris is just outside a building.
• If in a vehicle, stop but stay in the vehicle
• Avoid areas under trees, overpasses, utility wires, buildings.
• Once the earthquake has stopped, proceed with caution.

After an Earthquake

• Expect aftershocks and be aware of possible tsunamis.
• Check-in with family to confirm well-being and seek help if needed.
• Listen to radio or CodeRED alerts for information and instructions – you may need to evacuate.
• If you have evacuated, only reenter your home after local authorities say it is safe.
• Be cautious and check for damage. If you smell smoke, gas, or fumes evacuate immediately and call 911.
• Check shellfish safety before gathering shellfish for food.

Tsunami

Tsunamis are a series of enormous ocean waves generated by large undersea disturbances, such as a major earthquake. They can strike suddenly, violently, and without warning. The geologic record and Native American oral history indicate that the last major tsunami in our area was in 1700.

Before a Tsunami

• Create an all-hazards supply kit and communication plan.
• Know your community’s warning systems and evacuation routes.
• If an earthquake occurs, stay tuned to local radio, television, or CodeRED alerts to learn if there is a tsunami warning.
• If you are ordered to evacuate, follow directions from your local health officials. Move inland to higher ground as quickly and orderly as possible.

During a Tsunami

• Obtain your all-hazards supply kit and communication plan, and stay tuned to local radio, television, or CodeRED alerts for information and instructions from local health officials.
• Stay out of any building with surrounding water. Flood water can cause structurally damaged walls and floors to collapse.
• Be aware that local transportation routes may be impassable.

After a Tsunami

• Check-in with family to confirm well-being and seek help if needed. Elders, children, and those with special needs may need more frequent check-ins.
• Listen for the latest emergency information on local radio, television, or CodeRED.
• Return home only after local health officials tell you it is safe.
• Go to a designated shelter if you have been told to evacuate or feel your home is unsafe.
• Avoid disaster areas with debris in the water.
• Check shellfish safety before gathering shellfish for food.

Extreme Heat

Extreme heat is a period of excessively hot weather, with higher temperatures for a particular region combined with high humidity. Under such conditions, evaporation is slowed and the body works harder to maintain a normal temperature. Severe heat may cause illness or even death.

Reduce Your Risk:

• Stay indoors and in an air-conditioned environment as much as possible unless you know your body can tolerate high heat.
• Drink plenty of fluids, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and sugar.
• Give pets plenty of water.
• Eat more frequently and lighter meals.
• Never leave any person or animal in a parked vehicle.
• Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun.
• Avoid dressing babies in heavy clothing or wrapping them in warm blankets.
• Check in on elders, children, and those with special needs more frequently, at least twice per day.
• If you’re outdoors, wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunblock, and light colored, loose fitting clothes.
• Avoid strenuous outdoor activities in the middle of the day when temperatures are warmer.
• Avoid extreme temperature changes such as a cool shower immediately after coming in from hot temperatures.

At first signs of heat illness (dizziness, nausea, headaches, muscle cramps), move to a cooler location, rest for a few minutes and slowly drink a cool beverage. Seek medical attention immediately if you do not feel better.

Chemical Emergency

During a Chemical Emergency

• Obtain your all-hazards supply kit and communication plan, and stay tuned to local radio, television, or CodeRED alerts for information and instructions from local health officials.
• Act quickly and follow the instructions of local health officials. Every Situation can be different, so local emergency coordinators might have special instructions for you to follow.
• Check-in with family to confirm well-being and seek help if needed. Elders, children, and those with special needs may need more frequent check-ins.

If you come in contact with a hazardous chemical:

• Remove clothing that has a chemical on it – you may need to cut the clothing to remove it without spreading contamination.
• Wash yourself as quickly as possible – use large amounts of soap and water to wash chemicals from your skin, rinse eyes with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Dispose of contaminated clothes in a sealed plastic bag and place the sealed bag in another plastic bag. Health department or emergency personnel will arrange for further disposal.

After a Chemical Emergency

• Be sure to avoid wearing contaminated clothing. Clothing that has been stored in drawers or closets are unlikely to be contaminated.
• Avoid contact with others who have been exposed and have not yet changed their clothes and/or washed.
• Move away from the area where the chemical was released when emergency coordinators tell you to do so.
• Check shellfish safety before gathering shellfish for food.

Pandemic Influenza

A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. An influenza (flu) pandemic occurs when a new flu virus emerges for which there is little, or no, immunity and spreads easily from person to person.

Prevent a Pandemic

• A flu vaccination is the best way to protect against influenza.
• Take every day preventative measures:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash our hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Avoid close contact with people who are showing symptoms.
• If you are sick, stay home for at least 24 hrs after your fever is gone.
• Follow local health official advice regarding school closures, etc.

During a Pandemic

• Stay tuned to local radio, television, or CodeRED alerts for information and instructions from local health officials.
• Know the signs and symptoms of the specific disease outbreak.
• If you or a loved one develop symptoms, follow the advice of local health officials regarding when to seek medical care.
• Surgical masks are of limited use for controlling influenza virus transmission but can be worn by symptomatic individuals who are not able to avoid contact with others.
• For additional information, visit www.cdc.gov/flu or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.